Book Recommendations: Books to read this summer

The first official day of summer is this weekend, so here are some book recommendations for you to read this summer.

When it comes to reading, I enjoy quite a variety of books in terms of genre. I don't just read romance or fantasy; I love a good thriller, dystopian novel or even a work of historical fiction.

This year already, I've read 44 books and have a lot more still on my TBR to get through. But as the first official day of summer -- June 21st -- is this weekend, I thought I'd do a blog post recommending some books.

So, if you're looking for a new book to read this summer, then I've got some great book recommendations for you, whether you're a fan of non-fiction, thrillers, or romcoms.

10 Book recommendations to read this summer

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Great Big Beautiful Life is a dual-timeline romance novel that toes the line with historical fiction. It follows Alice, an eternal optimist, who has been invited to Little Crescent Island to write Margaret Ives's biography; the only catch: the grumpy Pulitzer-winning rival, Hayden.

Margaret gives Alice and Hayden a one-month trial period to prove why they're worthy journalists, during which she shares snippets of her life story. Alice and Haydn can't confer and as they try and piece together Margaret's history, their attraction towards one another only grows.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this novel when I read it on holiday earlier this year. It made me laugh, smile and almost cry in the middle of a Spanish café.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Genre: Summer Romance

Every Summer After is another dual-timeline romance novel that tells the story of Percy and Sam. The book flits between the present day, when Percy and Sam are reunited after 10 years apart, and their summers together growing up at Barry's Bay.

My Thoughts: Again, this was another novel I really enjoyed. I read it last summer and rated it five stars, but I think it's the perfect summer read, especially this year, because the Amazon Prime adaptation -- Every Year After -- that is based on this book was just released.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Genre: Memoir

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton is a memoir of Dolly's life during her 20s, exploring life, love and friendship. It's often revered as a book that everyone, especially girls, should read during their 20s, particularly if they're feeling lost or as if they don't have everything sorted out.

It is an honest recount of Dolly's 20s and is relatable, funny and heart-warming.

My Thoughts: Everything I Know About Love is actually my current read, and so far, I'm loving it. It's been on my bookcase for a while, and this summer is the one I've finally decided to pick it up.

Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Across the Vanishing Sky is the perfect book for those who enjoy a little romance as well as thrillers. This novel is the start of a new series by Catherine Cowles, and it is a romantic suspense, following Braedyn as she moves to Starlight Grove with her son in the hope of finally finding answers around her best friend's disappearance one year ago.

It explores themes of friendship, love and family, and has a sense of Criminal Minds about it.

My Thoughts: Catherine Cowles is one of my favourite authors and she always delivers. Across the Vanishing Sky was such a fun read and the suspense aspect of the story had me hooked and playing detective.

The Heirs by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

Genre: YA Thriller

The Heirs is the upcoming book by YA author Faridah Abike-Iyimide, releasing on July 2nd in the UK. It follows five siblings, all known publicly as the heirs of Leontes Button. Growing up in the limelight, they are all prodigies of some sort known as: The Artist, The Brain, The Olympian, The Maestro, and The Failure.

When their father is found dead, it is down to the siblings and some unlikely allies to uncover the truth, especially when conflicts arise regarding their father's will.

My Thoughts: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Heirs from Usborne, and I loved it. It gave me Umbrella Academy and Knives Out vibes, and I honestly didn't want to put it down.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

This next recommendation, The Correspondent, is perhaps slightly different in that it is an epistolary novel, told through correspondence from Sybil Van Antwerp, a 72-year-old woman, to the outside world.

It was just named the winner of the 2026 Women's Prize in the fiction category.

My Thoughts: I have actually not yet read this one; however, it intrigues me, one because of the structure of the novel, but two because it is an award-winning book that has been praised for its humour, honesty, and emotional resonance.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

The Wedding People is a novel I've seen recommended a lot in the past year. It follows an English professor who is depressed and travels to a luxury hotel to commit suicide. However, whilst there, she doesn't expect to be the only guest not attending the wedding at the hotel.

When the bride-to-be meets the young professor, she will stop at nothing to ensure her wedding is perfect, even if that means forming a beautiful friendship.

My Thoughts: Again, this is another book that's been on my shelf for some time. I have high hopes for this one because I've heard nothing but good things, and can't wait to delve into a story about friendship, hope and surprises.

A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

Genre: Romance

A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove is the latest instalment in Debbie Johnson's Starshine Cove series that came out earlier this month. It follows Suzie, as she returns to her hometown in Dorset, after years of living elsewhere, always being classed as the wild one. There's her dad, her sister-in-law and, of course, Guy, a brooding stranger who has secrets of his own.

My Thoughts: This series is one of my favourite feel-good romance series, and whilst I haven't read this book yet, I know I will enjoy it because I loved all the others.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Genre: Magical Realism

The Seven Year Slip is a magical realism romance set in New York, and it involves Clementine visiting her aunt's apartment only to find a man living there, but seven years in the past. It explores the hardship of opening yourself up to love and believing in the impossible.

My Thoughts: I put this book off for a while, but when I read it, I wished I had read it sooner. It was such a joyful story that I really enjoyed reading and would recommend for those who love a wholesome, heart-warming novel.

Eddie Flynn Series by Steve Cavanagh

Genre: Thrillers

Steve Cavanagh is one of my favourite thriller writers. The Eddie Flynn series, in particular, is a 10-book series, with the latest book being published on July 30th. It follows lawyer, Eddie Flynn, as he deals with complicated cases whilst juggling drama of his own.

The books in the series are: The Defence, The Plea, The Liar, Thirteen, Fifty-Fifty, The Devil's Advocate, The Accomplice, Witness 8, Two Kinds of Stranger, and One Of Us Is Guilty.

My Thoughts: I have read a few of the books in this series, and managed to persuade my dad to read them too, and they always amaze me. They are so well written and the plot twists always have me gasping.

If you do decide to read any of these summer book recommendations, I hope you enjoy them. I will certainly try and read those that I haven't yet read, and will continue to recommend the ones I loved, so if you've read them or got recommendations of your own, feel free to leave a comment.

Until next time...